System and method for implementing an integrated circuit having a dynamically variable power limit

ABSTRACT

An integrated circuit having a dynamically variable power limit is provided. The integrated circuit comprises power management logic operable to receive notification of a dynamically set power limit value and operable to dynamically regulate the integrated circuit&#39;s power consumption to comply with the dynamically set power limit value.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/320,586, filedDec. 16, 2002, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING ANINTEGRATED CIRCUIT HAVING A DYNAMICALLY VARIABLE POWER LIMIT,” and isalso related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/811,255, filed Mar.16, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,509,788, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHODUTILIZING ON-CHIP VOLTAGE CONTROLLED FREQUENCY MODULATION TO MANAGEPOWER CONSUMPTION,” both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to management of power consumption byan integrated circuit, and more specifically to a system and method forimplementing an integrated circuit having a dynamically variable powerlimit.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Integrated circuits (commonly referred to as “chips”), such asmicroprocessors, are utilized in an ever-increasing number of variousapplications. For instance, such chips are commonly implemented not onlyin personal computers (PCs) and laptops, but are typically implementedin much smaller (and more portable) devices, such as personal digitalassistants (PDAs), cellular telephones, pagers, and various other typesof devices. Considering the number of tasks that such chips are reliedupon to perform, the desire for fast processing speeds (to allow tasksto be performed quickly), and the desire for limited power consumptionby such chips, chip designers are faced with the difficult task ofdesigning chips that achieve the desired performance (e.g., fastprocessing speed), while managing the power consumption of the chips.Given the ever-increasing advances being made in performance of chips,such as microprocessors, power consumption is becoming a seriousconcern. For example, power consumption is becoming a seriousperformance limiter for high speed microprocessors. For instance, a keydesign objective for microprocessor systems is providing the highestpossible peak performance for compute-intensive code, while reducingpower consumption of the microprocessor system. Particularly when suchmicroprocessor systems are to be implemented within portable electronicdevices, reduction in power consumption (at least during low performanceperiods) is desirable to maximize the battery life of the device.

As is well known, the switching power consumption of a chip may begenerally computed utilizing the following equation: P=C*V²*F, wherein Prepresents power consumption, C represents switching capacitance, Vrepresents operating voltage, and F represents the clock frequency ofthe chip. In view of such equation, it should be understood thatswitching capacitance (C), voltage (V), and frequency (F) are allfactors in determining the power consumption (P) of a chip. In manycases, it is necessary to limit processor frequency (F) in order to holdthe power consumption (P) of a chip below a certain level that isacceptable for use in a given system (e.g., within a desktop or portabledevices).

Microprocessor chips of the prior art have typically been implementedwith a fixed voltage and frequency determined to prevent the chip fromconsuming more than a particular amount of power. Typically, indesigning prior art microprocessor chips, a designer tests the chip withsoftware code for creating a heavy computational load on the chip inorder to determine the appropriate voltage and frequency that may beimplemented for the chip such that its power consumption does not exceeda particular amount when heavy computational loads are encountered bythe chip. However, once implemented, such heavy computational loads maybe encountered relatively seldom, with low (or no) computational loadbeing placed on the microprocessor much of the time. Accordingly, theworst case computational loads dictate the voltage and frequency of thechip, thereby hindering performance of the chip (e.g., because of thedecreased frequency required for the worst case).

Another common power-saving technique of the prior art attempts toreduce only the clock frequency (F) during non-compute intensiveactivity. This reduces power, but does not affect the total energyconsumed per process. That is, a reduction in frequency (F) results in alinear reduction in the power consumed, but also results in a linearincrease in task run-time, which causes the energy-per-task to remainconstant. On the other hand, reducing only the voltage (V) of theprocessor improves its energy efficiency, but compromises its peakperformance. It has been recognized in the prior art that if clockfrequency (F) and supply voltage (V) are dynamically varied in responseto computational load demands, then energy consumed per process can bereduced for the low computational periods, while retaining peakperformance when required (i.e., for heavy computational periods).Design strategies attempting to utilize such dynamic variation of clockfrequency (F) and supply voltage (V) based on computational loads arecommonly referred to as dynamic voltage scaling (DVS).

One implementation proposed in the prior art utilizes DVS on amicroprocessor under direct Operating System (OS) control. In such animplementation, one or more voltage scheduler algorithms are required inthe OS of a DVS system, which are utilized to dynamically adjust theprocessor speed and voltage at run-time of a microprocessor. The voltageschedulers control the clock frequency (F) and supply voltage (V) of amicroprocessor by writing a desired frequency (in MHz) to a coprocessorregister. The voltage schedulers analyze the current and past state ofthe system in order to predict the future workload of the processor. Forexample, individual applications supply a completion deadline, and thevoltage scheduler uses the applications' previous execution history todetermine the number of processor cycles required and sets the clockfrequency (F) accordingly. Interval-based voltage schedulers have beenproposed in the prior art, which periodically analyze system utilizationto control the frequency and voltage. As an example, if the voltagescheduler determines that the preceding time interval was greater than50% active, it may increase the frequency and voltage for the next timeinterval. Thus, the system attempts to preserve the amount of powerconsumed by a microprocessor by having the OS dynamically adjust theclock frequency (F) to the minimum level required by the current activeprocesses. Such an implementation that utilizes voltage scheduleralgorithms (i.e., software) in the OS to dynamically control the voltageand frequency of a microprocessor is described in greater detail in ADynamic Voltage Scaled Microprocessor System, by Thomas Burd, TrevorPering, Anthony Sratakos, and Robert Brodersen, published in Journal ofSolid State Circuits Vol. 35, No. 11, November 2000, and The TechnologyBehind Crusoe™ Processors, by Alexander Klaiber (Transmeta Corporation),available (as of the filing of this application) athttp://www.transmeta.com/pdf/white_papers/paper_aklaiber_(—)19jan00.pdf,the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

However, such an approach that utilizes the OS to dynamically controlthe voltage and frequency of a microprocessor is oftenproblematic/undesirable. First, changing a system's OS to implement suchan approach is typically very time consuming and/or costly. Systemadministrators generally dislike upgrading their OS to improve theirhardware. Additionally, the OS approach is not perfectly reliablebecause it has imperfect information about how much power the chip isactually consuming and what its compute needs are. Rather, the OS canonly attempt to estimate/guess what is needed at the chip level.Furthermore, data necessary for the OS to intelligently estimate thepower consumption and/or compute needs of a chip is typically chipspecific, which results in greater difficulty in implementing/upgradingsuch an OS approach (because the OS implementation must be tailored to aspecific chip technology that is implemented).

Yet another power-saving technique implemented in prior artmicroprocessor chips involves regulating the voltage of the on-chippower supply to reduce voltage droops, thereby allowing for higher clockfrequency. More specifically, this technique attempts to improve theintegrity of the on-chip power supply by regulating it carefully so thatthe average voltage to the chip can be reduced (i.e., because suddenchanges in power consumption tend to cause the voltage to droop belowaverage). By reducing the droops through voltage regulation, the averagevoltage on the chip can be reduced by the magnitude of such droopreduction with no frequency reduction, and such reduction in averagevoltage results in reduced power consumption by the chip. Such animplementation that improves the integrity of the on-chip power supplyto reduce voltage droops of a microprocessor is described in greaterdetail in An On-chip Voltage Regulator using Switched DecouplingCapacitors, by Michael Ang, Raoul Salem, and Alexander Taylor, publishedin ISSCC 2000 Paper 26.7, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

Such prior art techniques generally aid in improving power integrity.However, such prior art techniques for improving power integrity attemptto supply extra current to a chip during high activity periods, therebyfailing to actually reduce power consumption. Further, the additionalcurrent supplied during such periods is necessarily limited in supply bythe quantity of capacitance.

Traditionally, chips have had a fixed power limit. For example, a chipis generally quoted (in its specification) as providing “X” performance(e.g., 100 MHz clock frequency) with a “Y” power limit (e.g., 100 Watts)under certain operating conditions (e.g., when below a “not-to-exceedtemperature”, etc.). Traditionally, the power limit of a chip is notdynamically variable. For instance, during run-time of traditionalchips, their power limit is not changeable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, anintegrated circuit having a dynamically variable power limit isprovided. The integrated circuit comprises power management logicoperable to receive notification of a dynamically set power limit valueand operable to dynamically regulate the integrated circuit's powerconsumption to comply with the dynamically set power limit value.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a systemcomprises means for processing a signal synchronous with a clock signal.The system further comprises a means for dynamically setting the powerlimit of the processing means to a desired value, wherein the processingmeans comprises means for self-regulating its power consumption tocomply with a dynamically set power limit.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention anintegrated circuit having a dynamically variable power limit isprovided. The integrated circuit comprises core circuitry forprocessing, wherein such processing is synchronous with a clock signal.The integrated circuit further comprises a mapping structure that mapsdifferent power limit values to corresponding frequency values of theclock signal. The integrated circuit also comprises power managementlogic operable to receive notification of a dynamically set power limitvalue for the integrated circuit, determine based at least in part onthe mapping structure a frequency value of the clock signal forcomplying with the dynamically set power limit value, and dynamicallyset the clock signal to a determined frequency value for managing powerconsumption of the integrated circuit to comply with the dynamically setpower limit value.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a methodfor providing an integrated circuit having a dynamically variable powerlimit and predictable performance is provided. The method comprisescharacterizing a plurality of integrated circuit units of a particulardesign that comprise core circuitry for processing, wherein suchprocessing is synchronous with a clock signal and wherein thecharacterizing determines, for each of a plurality of different powerlimit values of the integrated circuit units, a predictable clock signalfrequency that is achievable within a tolerance by all of the pluralityof integrated circuit units of the particular design without their powerconsumption exceeding the corresponding power limit value. The methodfurther comprises constructing a mapping structure that maps thedetermined predictable clock signal frequencies to corresponding powerlimit values, and implementing the mapping structure in a system thatincludes an integrated circuit of the particular design for use indynamically varying the integrated circuit's power limit.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a methodfor dynamically varying an integrated circuit's power limit is provided.The method comprises receiving, at an integrated circuit, notificationthat its power limit setting is changed to a different value, and theintegrated circuit self-regulating its power consumption to comply withthe different value of its power limit setting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment for managing a chip's power consumption whichutilizes an on-chip voltage controlled oscillator to dynamically adjustthe frequency of the chip's clock to track voltage which is varied tomanage the power consumption of the chip;

FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment for managing a chip's powerconsumption which includes circuitry for controlling the voltage inputto the on-chip voltage controlled oscillator to allow for the frequencyof the chip's clock output by such oscillator to be controlled in adesired manner;

FIG. 3 shows exemplary wave forms that illustrate the operation of anembodiment for managing a chip's power consumption;

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which a chip'spower limit is dynamically variable;

FIG. 5 shows an example graph for mapping predictable performance valuesof a chip to corresponding power limit values of the chip according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which a mappingstructure, such as a table, is implemented for use by a chip inproviding predictable performance at a dynamically selected power limit;

FIG. 7 shows exemplary wave forms that illustrate operation of anembodiment of the present invention in which the power limit of a chipis dynamically changed;

FIG. 8 shows an example implementation of frequency adjustment circuitrywithin the power management logic that comprises a resistive divider inconjunction with an analog voltage multiplexor that enable a maximumclock signal frequency of a chip to be dynamically changed responsive toa dynamically changed power limit for the chip; and

FIG. 9 shows an example operational flow diagram for implementing a chiphaving a dynamically variable power limit and operation of such chip inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In view of the prior art, a desire exists for a method and system forbetter managing power consumption of a chip. Further, a desire existsfor a technique that enables a chip's power limit to be dynamicallyvaried. That is, a desire exists for a technique that enables a chip'spower limit to be dynamically varied (e.g., to a value below its maximumpower limit) and for dynamically managing the chip's power consumptionso as to comply with a dynamically set power limit.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an integrated circuit (or“chip”) that has a variable power limit. That is, an integrated circuit,such as a microprocessor, is provided that is capable of having itspower limit dynamically varied to any of a plurality of differentvalues. Preferably, the chip is implemented in a manner that enables anyof a plurality of different measured power limits to be dynamically setfor the chip. That is, the chip's power limit can be dynamically set toany of a plurality of specific power limit values. Accordingly, incertain embodiments the chip's power limit value can be dynamicallyselectable from a plurality of different values (e.g., a range of powerlimit values).

Certain techniques exist in the prior art for changing the voltage level(or operating point) of a chip. For example, Intel® Corporation's SpeedStep™ technology is available in the prior art. With the Speed Step™technology, a chip has two operating points: one at high voltage,maximum performance, and another at a lower voltage, lower performance.Accordingly, the chip may operate at the higher operating point undercertain conditions and it may dynamically change its operation to thelower operating point under other conditions. For example, the chip maybe implemented in a notebook computer, and the chip may operate at itshigher operating point as long as the notebook computer is connected toan alternating current (AC) power source and it may vary its operationto the lower operating point when the notebook computer is removed fromthe AC power source (e.g., to preserve the notebook computer's battery).By reducing the chip's operating point to a lower voltage and lowerfrequency, the chip's power consumption will be reduced to some degreebelow that consumed at the higher operating point (recall P=C*V²*F).Thus, the chip's power may be indirectly varied when changing from thehigher operating point to the lower operating point.

However, with the Speed Step™ technology, the chip's power limit is notdynamically set to a measured value. That is, while changing from ahigher operating point to a lower operating point reduces the chip'spower consumption, the resulting power limit is not managed to ameasured value but may instead vary between a range of values (e.g., theresulting power limit when changing to the lower operating point mayvary between 10 and 50 Watts, for instance). The amount that theresulting power limit is reduced for the lower operating point may varyfrom chip to chip. Accordingly, a measured power limit is notdynamically set for chips implementing the Speed Step™ technology, butinstead their power limit is indirectly varied by some unmanaged amountas a result of reduced voltage and frequency at the lower operatingpoint. As described further below, embodiments of the present inventionenable a measured power limit to be dynamically set for a chip. Forinstance, a chip's power limit may be dynamically selected from a rangeof power limit values.

Various situations exist in which it may be desirable to dynamicallyvary the power limit of a chip. For instance, a microprocessor chip maybe implemented in a multi-processor server system, such as a UtilityData Center, and during periods of low computational loads suchmicroprocessor chip may not be required to be utilized and it maytherefore be desirable to reduce its power limit during those periods.Power management software may be implemented in the Utility Data Centerfor monitoring the workloads of the various processors and manage thepower limits of those processors (e.g., to raise the power limits duringhigh computational loads for increased performance and to lower thepower limits during lower computational loads for power conservation).As another example, a chip may be implemented in a portable device, suchas a mobile telephone (e.g., cellular telephone), personal dataassistant (PDA), laptop (or “notebook”) computer, etc., and its powerlimit may be dynamically varied to extend the battery life of suchdevices (when not coupled to an AC source). Various other applicationswill be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in which it maybe desirable to have a chip's power limit be dynamically variable.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an integrated circuit thatis capable of dynamically varying its power consumption to comply with adynamically set power limit. That is, a chip is provided that is capableof having its power limit dynamically varied, and the chip dynamicallyvaries its power consumption to comply with any of a plurality ofdifferent power limits that may be specified for the chip.

Further, an embodiment of the present invention provides a chip that isimplemented to provide optimum performance within a specified powerlimit. That is, the chip's power limit may be dynamically varied, andupon a specific power limit being set for the chip, the chip varies itspower consumption in a manner to comply with the set power limit but itvaries its power consumption in a manner to provide optimum performancewithin the set power limit. For example, the chip's voltage andfrequency are preferably dynamically varied to provide optimumperformance within a set power limit, such as is disclosed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/811,255 entitled “SYSTEM AND METHODUTILIZING ON-CHIP VOLTAGE CONTROLLED FREQUENCY MODULATION TO MANAGEPOWER CONSUMPTION,” filed Mar. 16, 2001, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated herein by reference.

Further, certain embodiments of the present invention enable predictableperformance under any of a plurality of different power limits that maybe dynamically set for the chip. Having predictable performance undereach power limit that may be dynamically set for a chip is generallydesirable. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art,the actual power consumed by a semiconductor device, such as amicroprocessor, varies considerably based upon its operating conditions,like temperature and manufacturing variations in different devices.Accordingly, if the power limit is dynamically reduced from a chip'smaximum power limit to some smaller amount, the performance achievableunder the newly set power limit may vary considerably between variousdifferent chips of the same design. That is, in a given design ofmicroprocessor chips, the performance may vary considerably between suchchips when their power limit is dynamically reduced. As describedfurther below, one embodiment of the present invention provides atechnique for providing predictable performance within an acceptabletolerance (e.g., 5% or less) achievable for a chip design at variousdifferent power limit values.

While any suitable technique now known or later discovered for a chipself-regulating its power consumption may be utilized in conjunctionwith embodiments of the present invention, a preferred technique for achip self-regulating its power consumption to maintain such powerconsumption within a set power limit is disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/811,255 entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD UTILIZINGON-CHIP VOLTAGE CONTROLLED FREQUENCY MODULATION TO MANAGE POWERCONSUMPTION.” Preferably, the technique utilized enables the chip'sperformance to be varied in a manner such that it provides optimumperformance under the set power limit. The technique disclosed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/811,255 entitled “SYSTEM AND METHODUTILIZING ON-CHIP VOLTAGE CONTROLLED FREQUENCY MODULATION TO MANAGEPOWER CONSUMPTION” for managing a chip's power consumption is describedbelow in conjunction with FIGS. 1-3. As described below, such techniqueenables the chip to provide optimum performance under a given powerlimit. Further, in one embodiment, power management logic is implementedto manage the chip's power consumption in a manner that providesoptimal, predictable performance. That is, the optimal performance thatis predictably achievable for the chip (e.g., consistently achievablefor chips of a this particular design) at the set power limit isprovided. In this manner, a designer and/or power management applicationmay make intelligent decisions about the power limit to be set for thechip, or for a given product in which the chip is implemented, at anygiven time because the chip's performance at various power limit valuesis predictable.

Turning to FIG. 1, a portion of a system 100 that implements anembodiment for managing a chip's power consumption that may be used withcertain embodiments of the present invention is shown. As shown, powersupply 102 supplies power to a chip 106. More specifically, a voltagesignal and ground signal are supplied by power supply 102, which aretypically fed through some package parasitics 104 to chip 106. Suchpackage parasitics 104 are well known to those of ordinary skill in thecomputer arts, and therefore will not be described in great detailherein. Thus, the resulting voltage signal V₁ and ground signal G₁ arereceived by chip 106. Chip 106 comprises a voltage controlled frequencyoscillator 108, which generates chip clock CLK₁ that is utilized as theclock signal for the core chip circuitry 112. It should be understoodthat chip 106 may be any type of integrated circuit, including withoutlimitation a microprocessor. Core chip circuitry 112 may include anyclocked circuitry components of chip 106, such as logic to executeinstructions in a microprocessor, storage elements for information thechip may utilize for performing operations, arithmetic processing logic,etc.

As shown in FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the received voltage signal V₁and ground signal G₁ are fed both to core chip circuitry 112 andoscillator 108. In such embodiment, oscillator 108 adjusts the frequencyof clock CLK₁ generated thereby based on the value of voltage V₁. Moreparticularly, oscillator 108 is most preferably a ring oscillator (whichincludes a loop with an odd number of inversions), and such ringoscillators are well known in the art. Most preferably, circuitry 110,which is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, is includedin oscillator 108 to adjust the frequency of CLK₁ based on the value ofvoltage V₁. Such circuitry 110 may include any switched capacitive orresistive elements that effect the loop delay of ring oscillator 108,and because such elements are generally well known in the art, they arenot described in greater detail herein.

For instance, as voltage V₁ decreases, the frequency of CLK₁ output byoscillator 108 decreases. As a result, voltage controlled oscillator 108of this embodiment allows for chip 106 to self-regulate its powerconsumption. It will be recalled that the power consumption of chip 106may be approximated utilizing the equation P=C*V²*F, wherein Prepresents power consumption, C represents switching capacitance, Vrepresents operating voltage (e.g., voltage V₁), and F represents theclock frequency of chip 106 (e.g., frequency of CLK₁). Thus, byoscillator 108 dynamically adjusting the clock frequency of chip 106(i.e., the frequency of CLK₁) in response to changes in the voltage V₁,the chip may self-regulate its power consumption while providing themaximum frequency possible at voltage V1.

Turning to FIG. 2, an alternative embodiment for managing a chip's powerconsumption, which is similar to the above embodiment of FIG. 1, isshown, wherein like reference numbers are used to identify likecomponents. More specifically, a portion of a system 200 whichimplements such an alternative embodiment of the present invention isshown. As with the example embodiment of FIG. 1, power supply 102supplies power to a chip 106. More specifically, a voltage signal andground signal are supplied by power supply 102, which are typically fedthrough package parasitics 104 to chip 106. As described above withreference to FIG. 1, the resulting voltage signal V₁ and ground signalG₁ are received by chip 106.

Chip 106 comprises voltage controlled frequency oscillator 108, whichgenerates chip clock CLK₁ that is utilized as the clock signal for thecore chip circuitry 112. Core chip circuitry 112 may include any clockedcircuitry components of chip 106, as described above with reference toFIG. 1. The received voltage signal V₁ and ground signal G₁ are fed bothto core chip circuitry 112 and oscillator 108. As shown in FIG. 2,capacitor 201 is included, which acts as a charge reservoir in thatcharge not consumed by the chip circuitry during low power periods canbe stored away to be delivered to the chip during bursts of high poweractivity. This enables burst of high power (and high performance)activity to be sustained for some predetermined period of time beforethe voltage droops (i.e., when capacitor 201 is depleted of charge) andthe chip self-throttles its power consumption and hence slows down. Ofcourse, it should be understood that such a capacitor 201 may likewisebe implemented in the embodiment of FIG. 1, even though it is not shownor described therewith.

Additionally, in this alternative embodiment, control circuitry 202 isincluded on chip 106. Such control circuitry 202 is capable ofcontrolling the voltage supplied to oscillator 108, thereby controllingthe frequency of the output clock signal CLK₁. For example, sensor(s),such as a voltage sensor and/or thermal sensor, may be utilized tomonitor the voltage level drawn by core circuitry 112, and maycommunicate such voltage level to control circuitry 202. In turn,control circuitry 202 may control the voltage input to oscillator 108,thereby dynamically controlling the output frequency of oscillator 108(i.e., the frequency of CLK₁) to manage the chip's power consumption. Itshould be understood that control circuitry 202 may be implemented onchip 106 with software executing thereon for managing the chip's powerconsumption (e.g., may be implemented as firmware).

Thus, control circuitry 202 allows for voltage controlled oscillator 108to be utilized to manage the power consumption of chip 106 withoutnecessarily requiring the identical voltage V₁ supplied to the core chipcircuitry 112 to always be input to oscillator 108. For example,circuitry (e.g., sensors) may be included for monitoring the value ofvoltage V₁, and such circuitry may cause control circuitry 202 to adjustthe voltage supplied to oscillator 108 only upon the value of voltage V₁achieving a particular threshold level. For instance, control circuitry202 may maintain the voltage input to oscillator 108 at a first value“X” until it is determined by circuitry (not shown) that monitors thevalue of the voltage V₁ input to chip 106 that such value achieves athreshold value “T,” and upon voltage V₁ achieving such threshold value“T” control circuitry 202 may adjust the value of the voltage input tooscillator 108 to a second value “Y,” which may be the value of voltageV₁. Thus, by oscillator 108 dynamically adjusting the clock frequency ofchip 106 (i.e., the frequency of CLK₁) in response to the voltage valuesupplied to oscillator 108 as controlled by control circuitry 202, chip106 may self-regulate its power consumption.

Turning now to FIG. 3, exemplary wave forms are shown that illustrateoperation of an embodiment of power management logic for managing achip's power consumption. More specifically, an exemplary wave form isshown for voltage V₁ input to chip 106, clock CLK₁ generated byoscillator 108, external power distributed to chip 106, andinstantaneous chip power consumption. As shown, at time t₀, voltage V₁is 5 volts (V) and the frequency of clock CLK₁ is 100 megahertz (MHz),resulting in a desired value of “X” watts of external power required tobe distributed to chip 106. As the example of FIG. 3 illustrates, in anembodiment of power management logic, the external power distributed tochip 106 remains relatively constant, while the instantaneous chip powerconsumption may vary significantly over time. For instance, at time t₀,the chip power consumption is at its average value. Some time later,between time t₀ and time t₁, the instantaneous chip power consumptiongoes above average (e.g., compute intensive operation may be performedby the core circuitry, thus causing the instantaneous chip powerconsumption to increase above average). When the chip power goes aboveaverage power, capacitor 201 starts draining charge to supply the chip,in one embodiment. Thus, as the example of FIG. 3 shows, voltage V₁,frequency of CLK₁, and the external power distributed to chip 106 remainrelatively constant from the time that the chip power increases aboveaverage until time t₁ (because capacitor 201 drains its charge to supplythe chip the additional needed power).

Over time, if the chip power consumption remains above average, thecharge will drain from capacitor 201 and voltage V₁ will droop,resulting in the chip power being reduced to the average value. Forexample, at time t₁, capacitor 201 is still supplying the necessarypower to enable voltage V₁ to remain at 5V. Further, the frequency ofclock CLK₁ output by oscillator 108 remains 100 MHz, with external powerdistributed to chip 106 remaining at a desired value “X” watts. Fromtime t₁ to time t₂, voltage V₁ droops from 5V to 4V (e.g., as the chargeis drained from capacitor 201), and in response the frequency of clockCLK₁ output by oscillator 108 gradually decreases from 100 MHz to 50 MHzto maintain the external power distributed to chip 106 substantially atthe desired “X” watts. As further shown in the example of FIG. 3, thedecrease in voltage V₁ and frequency of CLK₁ results in a decrease inthe instantaneous chip power consumption (back to its average). Fromtime t₂ to time t₃ voltage V₁ remains at 4V, and in response thefrequency of clock CLK₁ output by oscillator 108 remains at 50 MHz,thereby maintaining the instantaneous chip power consumption of chip 106substantially at its average, while the external power required by chip106 remains at the desired “X” watts.

Some time after time t₂, the instantaneous power chip consumptiondecreases below its average (e.g., as the compute intensive operation iscompleted). Thus, in response, from time t₃ to time t₄, voltage V₁gradually increases from 4V back to 5V, and in response the frequency ofclock CLK₁ output by oscillator 108 gradually increases from 50 MHz to100 MHz. Accordingly, as the value of voltage V₁ increases, thefrequency of clock CLK₁ output by oscillator 108 increases, therebyallowing faster operation of the core circuitry 112 of chip 106 withoutrequiring an increase in external power distributed to chip 106. Itshould be recognized that in one embodiment, the external powerdistributed to chip 106 remains relatively constant (i.e., at thedesired “X” Watts) while the chip power consumption is below average toenable power to be stored away in the form of charge on capacitor 201(e.g., to replenish the charge of capacitor 201). As voltage V₁ and thefrequency of CLK₁ increase, the instantaneous chip power consumptionreturns to its average. After time t₄, chip power consumption remainssubstantially at its average, and thus, voltage V₁ remains at 5V. Inresponse to voltage V₁ remaining at 5V, the frequency of clock CLK₁output by oscillator 108 remains at 100 MHz, thereby maintaining theexternal power required to be distributed to chip 106 at the desired “X”watts.

As shown in the example of FIG. 3, an embodiment of power managementlogic for self-regulating a chip's power consumption utilizes on-chiposcillator 108 to dynamically generate clock frequency CLK₁ for the corecircuitry 112 of chip 106 responsive to voltage V₁ in order to managethe power consumption of chip 106. Accordingly, it should be recognizedthat an embodiment provides a seamless and fine-grained approach togetting the most performance per Watt. For example, an embodiment allowsfor operation at the highest processing speed (or fastest clockfrequency) that is possible while remaining within a desired powerconsumption. For instance, the chip's clock frequency supplied byon-chip oscillator 108 can dynamically adjust such that it isconsistently at the fastest frequency possible to remain within thedesired power consumption.

It should be recognized that in one embodiment of the power managementlogic, upon a reduced voltage being encountered by a chip, which may becaused by sustained high power activity on the chip (or specific voltagemanagement techniques introduced by current source 202), as examples,one embodiment dynamically reduces the chip frequency (e.g., CLK₁) justenough to keep the chip functional at such reduced voltage (which is theresponsibility of oscillator 108). More specifically, as the chip's corecircuitry 112 draws more current, thereby reducing the voltage input tooscillator 108, the frequency of CLK₁ output by such oscillator 108decreases. On the other hand, as the chip's core circuitry 112 drawsless current, thereby increasing the voltage available to theoscillator, the frequency of CLK₁ output by such oscillator 108increases.

It should also be recognized that an embodiment of power managementlogic provides a simple means of tying performance to power. That is, anembodiment provides a relatively simple way for linking the clockfrequency of a chip to its power consumption, in a dynamic manner. Forexample, suppose an increased number of power hungry units (orcomponents) are suddenly activated on chip 106. An embodiment of powermanagement logic enables chip 106 to dynamically respond to suchincreased number of activated units by decreasing the voltage and hencethe clock frequency generated by oscillator 108 to manage the chip'spower consumption. Furthermore, due to the cubic reduction in powerachieved with a simultaneous frequency and voltage reduction (recallP=C*V²*F), the power/performance tradeoff is much better than coarse,functional methods such as throttling units or disabling ports.

It should also be recognized that an embodiment of power managementlogic enables elimination of the PLL (phase locked loop) as the sourceof the varying frequency as is commonly required in prior artmicroprocessor designs, which is typically very difficult to design.That is, implementation of on-chip oscillator 108 to generate the clockfor the chip's core circuitry, a PLL re-lock (a time consuming processfor changing frequency) is not required to be implemented in anembodiment, which may aid in simplifying the design of a chip.

Furthermore, it should be understood that the above-describedembodiments of power management logic for managing power consumptionwithin a chip may be implemented within any type of integrated circuit,and any such implementation is intended to be within the scope of thepresent invention. As examples, such embodiments may be implementedwithin such integrated circuits as microprocessors, embeddedcontrollers, network routers, graphics processors, and any otherapplication specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Although, animplementation is most preferably utilized within a microprocessor chip.

Embodiments of the present invention enable the power limit of a chip,such as chip 106 in the above examples, to be dynamically varied.Turning to FIG. 4, a portion of a system 400 which implements anembodiment of the present invention is shown. As shown, power supply 102supplies power to a chip 401. More specifically, a voltage signal andground signal are supplied by power supply 102, which are typically fedthrough some package parasitics 104 to chip 401, as described above inconjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, the resulting voltage signal V₁and ground signal G₁ are received by chip 401. It should be understoodthat, as with chip 106 described above, chip 401 may be any type ofintegrated circuit, including without limitation a microprocessor. Chip401 comprises core chip circuitry 403, which may include any clockedcircuitry components of chip 401, such as logic to execute instructionsin a microprocessor, storage elements for information the chip mayutilize for performing operations, arithmetic processing logic, etc.

Chip 401 further comprises power management logic 402 forself-regulating its power consumption. Preferably, such power managementlogic 402 may be implemented in the manner described in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2above. For instance, such power management logic 402 may comprise avoltage controlled frequency oscillator (e.g., oscillator 108 of FIG. 1or 2 above) that generates a clock signal (e.g., CLK₁ in above examplesof FIGS. 1 and 2) that is utilized as the clock signal for the core chipcircuitry 403. As described above, the frequency of such clock signalmay be dynamically varied by power management logic 402 to regulate thechip's power consumption in order to maintain such power consumptionwithin a given power limit. Additionally, as described below, powermanagement logic 402 is preferably operable to control power supply 102to dynamically change the supply voltage (“VDD”) supplied to chip 401.

Further included in system 400 is power limit controller 404. Powerlimit controller 404 is operable to dynamically set the power limit ofchip 401 to any of a plurality of different values. That is, power limitcontroller 404 may dynamically set the power limit of chip 401 to any ofa plurality of different measured power limits (or specific power limitvalues). Power management logic 402 is operable to dynamically vary thechip's performance (e.g., vary the clock frequency supplied to corecircuitry 403) and control the voltage V₁ delivered by power supply 102in order to comply with a dynamically set power limit. That is, powermanagement logic 402 is operable to self-regulate the power consumptionof chip 401 to comply with a dynamically set power limit.

Power limit controller 404 may comprise any logic in system 400 forsetting the power limit of chip 401. For example, power limit controller404 may, in some systems, comprise power management software thatcontrols the power limit to be in effect for chip 401 at any given time.As another example, power limit controller 404 may, in certain systems,comprise hardware for monitoring chip 401 (e.g., its activity,temperature, etc.) and dynamically vary the power limit for such chip401. Accordingly, although power limit controller 404 is shown in theexample of FIG. 4 as residing off of chip 401, in certainimplementations it may comprise circuitry implemented on chip 401 forsetting the chip's power limit. Thus, in certain embodiments, chip 401may itself comprise power limit controller 404 such that it candynamically determine the proper power limit for itself and use powermanagement logic 402 for regulating its power consumption to comply withthe determined power limit.

Chip 401 is capable of dynamically varying its power consumption tocomply with a dynamically set power limit specified by power limitcontroller 404. More specifically, power management logic 402 controlsthe operation of chip 401 to ensure that chip 401 maintains its powerconsumption within a dynamically set power limit. For instance, supposeat a first time, t₁, power limit controller 404 sets the power limit forchip 401 to a first value (e.g., 100 Watts), power management logic 402controls the operation of chip 401 (e.g., by adjusting the voltagesupplied to chip 401 and/or the clock frequency supplied to core 403) tomaintain the chip's power consumption within the first value. Furthersuppose that at a later time, t₂, power limit controller 404 dynamicallychanges the power limit for chip 401 to a second value (e.g., 80 Watts);in response, power management logic 402 controls the operation of chip401 (e.g., by adjusting the voltage supplied to chip 401 and/or theclock frequency supplied to core 403) to maintain the chip's powerconsumption within the newly set second value.

As mentioned above, various situations exist in which it may bedesirable to dynamically vary the power limit of chip 401. For instance,chip 401 may be implemented in a multi-processor server system, such asa Utility Data Center, and during periods of low computational loadssuch processor 401 may not be required to be utilized and it maytherefore be desirable to reduce its power limit during those periods.Power management software may be implemented in the Utility Data Centerfor monitoring the workloads of the various processors and manage thepower limits of those processors (e.g., to raise the power limits duringhigh computational loads for increased performance and to lower thepower limits during lower computational loads for power conservation).As another example, chip 401 may be implemented in a portable device,such as a mobile telephone (e.g., cellular telephone), personal dataassistant (PDA), laptop (or “notebook”) computer, etc., and its powerlimit may be dynamically varied to extend the battery life of suchdevices (when not coupled to an AC source).

In an embodiment of the present invention, chip 401 is implemented toprovide optimum performance within a specified power limit. That is, thechip's power limit may be dynamically varied (e.g., by power limitcontroller 404), and upon a specific power limit being set for chip 401,power management logic 402 controls the chip's operation (e.g., byadjusting the clock frequency supplied to core 403) to comply with theset power limit in a manner that provides optimum performance within theset power limit. Preferably, power management logic 402 implements atechnique, such as that described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1-3,to consistently provide the fastest clock frequency possible to core 403that enables the chip to remain within the dynamically set power limit.As noted above, the example self-regulation techniques described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-3 provide a seamless and fine-grained approachfor achieving the most performance per Watt. For example, the techniquesdescribed above allow for operation at the highest processing speed (orfastest clock frequency) that is possible while remaining within adesired power consumption (e.g., remaining within a dynamically setpower limit). Thus, one embodiment implements a power managementtechnique (in logic 402) that is capable of dynamically varying thefrequency of a clock signal supplied to core 403 in a manner that allowsfor the highest possible clock frequency while remaining within a givenpower limit, wherein such power limit may be dynamically set by powerlimit controller 404.

Further, certain embodiments of the present invention enable predictableperformance of chip 401 under any of a plurality of different powerlimits that may be dynamically set for the chip. That is, in certainembodiments, the performance of chip 401 under each of a plurality ofdifferent power limits that may be dynamically set for the chip isaccurately predictable. Particularly if optimum performance is providedat each power limit level, the performance of the chip will generallyvary among different power limits. For instance, as those of ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate, the maximum clock frequency providedto core 403 under a first power limit set for chip 401 (e.g., 100 Watts)will generally be different than the maximum clock frequency that may beprovided to core 403 under a different power limit set for chip 401(e.g., 30 Watts).

Thus, suppose a chip's maximum power limit is 100 Watts (W) and itsmaximum frequency under the 100 W power limit is 2.5 GHz. The maximumclock frequency achievable by a chip for its maximum power limit isgenerally well defined for the chip (e.g., and is a value that isquotable in the chip's specifications by the chip provider). However, ifthe chip's power limit is dynamically reduced from 100 W to, forexample, 30 W, the chip's maximum frequency under this new power limitwill likely change to a value less than the 2.5 GHz value that isachievable at its maximum power limit. While the chip's performance(e.g., clock frequency) may be reduced in response to the reduced powerlimit, such reduction in performance will, in most circumstances, beacceptable in order to achieve the reduced power limit. However, thevalue to which the chip's performance reduces under the reduced powerlimit is generally desired to be predictable. That is, while aperformance less than that achievable at the maximum power limit may beacceptable in exchange for a reduced power limit, it is generallydesirable to know the performance (at least to some degree of accuracy,such as 5% or less) that can be expected under the reduced power limit.For instance, if at least “X” clock frequency is needed for the chip toperform a given task within a desired time frame, then it may bedesirable to predict whether and/or to what degree the chip's powerlimit can be reduced and still allow the chip to provide the needed “X”clock frequency.

As described briefly above, having predictable performance is generallydesirable for a chip. Having a predictable level of performance isparticularly important for microprocessors, for example, where usersexpect applications, such as streaming video, numerical simulations,etc., to perform to a specific level. Ensuring predictable frequency ofoperation for reduced power levels (i.e., less than the maximum powerlimit of a chip) is much more difficult than the traditional fixedpower/frequency/voltage employed on most chips (e.g., on most verylarge-scale integration (VLSI) chips). There are several reasons forthis difficulty, two of which are described below.

First, power consumption and frequency of operation (circuit speed)varies with temperature. For traditional chips, there is just a maximum,not to exceed temperature and the specified frequency of operation forthe chip is guaranteed to be met as long as that temperature is notexceeded. Similarly, the maximum power for the chip is guaranteed not tobe exceeded at the maximum temperature. For a voltage and frequencymodulated chip, however, (such as chips implementing the powermanagement techniques described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1-3), ifthe power limit is reduced from maximum, the impact this has on thechip's speed is unpredictable because temperature is typically not wellcontrolled (except to ensure that it does not exceed the maximumtemperature).

Second, manufacturing variations between chips cause them to consumedifferent amounts of power for the same frequency of operation. Thus,even though two chips might be specified at 100 Watts (W) and 2.5 GHzperformance, the first chip might consume 90 W and the second chipconsumes 99 W to provide the 2.5 GHz performance. In either case, the100 W limit is met in the above example, but if the power limit isreduced to 90 W, for example, the second chip will have to reduce itsfrequency (and voltage) to get its power consumption down from 99 W to90 W but the first chip will not (as it was already at 90 W powerconsumption).

In view of the above, the specific maximum performance provided by achip when its power limit is reduced below its maximum power limit maybe unknown and difficult to predict. Further, the reduction inperformance may not necessarily reduce in the same percentage that thepower limit for the chip is reduced. For instance, if a chip's powerlimit is reduced by 10 percent of its maximum power limit, it does notnecessarily follow that the chip's performance will be reduced by 10percent of its maximum performance. Thus, there is a need for a methodto provide consistent performance (e.g., frequency of operation) forchips operating at power limits lower than their maximum power limit.

For a chip with a power management system that enables it to controlfrequency of operation to a reasonably fine-grain level of accuracy(e.g., approximately a tolerance of 5% or less), this method can be asimple table lookup providing a frequency reduction value for a givenpower reduction value. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the presentinvention, chips are characterized to determine a mapping of performancevalues for corresponding power limit values. More specifically, aplurality of like chips (i.e., chips of the same design) arecharacterized to determine, for each of a plurality of different powerlimits, the maximum performance value that enables all of the chips tocomply with a set power limit.

For example, assume a given chip set has a maximum power limit of 100 Wand provide 100 MHz performance at their maximum power limit. A number(e.g., 100) of such chips are characterized at various reduced powerlimits. For instance, the chips may be characterized to determine themaximum clock frequency of each chip that enables the chip to maintainits power consumption at or below 80 W. The lowest clock frequency valuedetermined for the chips may then be established as a predictableperformance value that is achievable within an 80 W power limit for thechip set. Suppose, for example, that 100 of the chips are characterizedto determine their maximum clock frequencies while complying with the 80W power limit, and 90 MHz is determined as the maximum clock frequencyat 80 W for 20 of the chips, 88 MHz is determined as the maximum clockfrequency at 80 W for 20 of the chips, 87 MHz is determined as themaximum clock frequency at 80 W for 20 of the chips, 85 MHz isdetermined as the maximum clock frequency at 80 W for 20 of the chips,and 83 MHz is determined as the maximum clock frequency at 80 W for 20of the chips. In this example, 83 MHz may be established as apredictable performance value for chips of this type at an 80 W powerlimit. That is, because all of the chips are capable of complying withthe 80 W power limit when providing a maximum frequency of 83 MHz, the83 MHz value may be established as the maximum frequency available forthe chips at an 80 W power limit.

Techniques are well known in the art for characterizing the performanceof a given chip design under a specified power limit, and therefore suchtechniques are not described in great detail herein. In certaintechniques, the chips may be characterized under a plurality ofdifferent conditions, e.g., temperatures, computational loads presentedthereto, etc., and their performance may be monitored under theconditions to determine the predictable performance that can be quotedfor the chip design at various different power limit.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, the predictable performance of aparticular chip design that is achieved (within an acceptable tolerance)under a given power limit is determined through characterization of thechips. Thereafter, a table may be constructed that maps various powerlimit values that may be dynamically set for the chip to thecorresponding predictable performance values of the chip. For instance,in the above example, the mapping structure may map an 80 W power limitto 83 MHz clock frequency for the chip design. Such table (or other typeof mapping structure, such as a data structure, etc.) may then be usedto set the maximum clock frequency of a chip in response to its powerlimit being dynamically set to a value below its maximum power limit. Anexample implementation of such a table is described further below inconjunction with FIG. 5.

A table for mapping the predictable performance values to correspondingpower limit values of a chip can be represented as a graph, such as thatshown in FIG. 5. In the example of FIG. 5, the maximum power limit (andcorresponding maximum frequency) of the chip is mapped to point (1.0,1.0) of the graph. Various percentages of the chip's maximum power limitare provided along the horizontal axis of the graph, and variouspercentages of the chip's maximum clock frequency are provided along thevertical axis of the graph. So, if the maximum power limit of the chipis 100 W, setting it to 80 W (0.8 in the graph of FIG. 5), would resultin the frequency being set to 0.9 times the maximum frequency. The exactrelationship between power and frequency is preferably determined bycharacterization of typical silicon such that across all manufacturingvariations and temperatures, the chip can be guaranteed to be withinsome tolerance (e.g., approximately 5% or less) of the specifiedfrequencies for a given power limit. Thus, when quoting the performanceof a microprocessor, a repeatable, predictable value can be given evenfor the less than maximum power limits that may be dynamically set forthe chip.

An example algorithm for determining the frequency to be set for a chipresponsive to a given power limit is:

If (set_power_limit < max_power) { frequency_multiplier =f_of_power[set_power_limit/max_power] } set chip clock frequency =frequency_multiplier * max_frequency, wherein f_of_power[ ] is a matrixof values such as represented in the graph of Fig. 5.

Thus, suppose that the maximum power limit for a chip (“max_power”) is100 W and its maximum frequency (“max_frequency”) is 2.5 GHz, andfurther suppose that the power limit set for the chip(“set_power_limit”) is 80 W. In accordance with the above examplealgorithm, because the set_power_limit is less than the max_power (i.e.,80 W<100 W), frequency_multiplier is set to f_of_power[80/100]. That is,the frequency_multiplier is determined by looking up the correspondingfrequency value for 0.8 of the chip's maximum power (or 80/100) in thetable illustrated by the graph of FIG. 5. In the example of FIG. 5, thefrequency_multiplier corresponding to the power value 0.8 of the maximumpower is 0.9. That is, the maximum frequency for the chip when its powerlimit is set to 0.8 of its maximum power plots to 0.9 of the maximumfrequency in the example graph of FIG. 5. Further, in accordance withthe above example algorithm the chip's clock frequency is set tofrequency_multiplier*max_frequency, which in this example is 0.9*2.5GHz.

Turning to FIG. 6, an example implementation of a portion of a system600 is shown. As in FIG. 4, system 600 comprises power supply 102 thatsupplies power to chip 401 through package parasitics 104, thusresulting in voltage signal V₁ and ground signal G₁ being received bychip 401. Chip 401 comprises core chip circuitry 403 and powermanagement logic 402, as described above in FIG. 4. Further included insystem 600 is power limit controller 404, as in FIG. 4. As further shownin this example implementation, chip 401 may comprise lookup table (orother suitable mapping structure) 601 that provides a mapping ofpredictable performance values for the chip to corresponding power limitvalues, such as described above in conjunction with FIG. 5. Thus, inoperation chip 401 may receive notification from power limit controller404 that its power limit value is reduced by X amount (e.g., X percent)below its maximum power limit, and in response thereto, power managementlogic 402 may access lookup table 601 to determine the maximum clockfrequency that can be supplied to core 403 under the reduced powerlimit. That is, power management logic 402 may access lookup table 601to determine for the reduced power limit value the maximum clockfrequency that it can supply to core 403 without its power consumptionexceeding the reduced power limit. Example operation of one embodimentof the present invention is described further below in conjunction withthe example wave forms of FIG. 7.

As further shown in the example of FIG. 6, in certain implementationslookup table 602 (which may be identical to lookup table 601) may beprovided within system 600 off of chip 401 instead of or in addition tolookup table 601 being included on chip 401. Lookup table (or othersuitable mapping structure) 602 provides a mapping of predictableperformance values for chip 401 to corresponding power limit values,such as described above in conjunction with FIG. 5. Thus, in operationof certain embodiments, power limit controller 404 (or other powermanagement logic responsible for determining the proper power limit tobe dynamically set for chip 401) may access lookup table 602 todetermine the proper power limit to be set for chip 401. For instance,suppose power limit controller 404 desires to reduce the power limit ofchip 401 as much as possible but ensure that it maintains a clockfrequency of at least X amount (e.g., 100 MHz), power limit controller404 may access lookup table 602 to determine the lowest power limitvalue that may be set for chip 401 that enables chip 401 to predictablyprovide at least the desired X clock frequency. Power limit controllermay then set the power limit of chip 401 to the determined lowest powerlimit value that enables chip 401 to provide the desired X clockfrequency.

In certain embodiments, power limit controller 404 may be capable ofquerying chip 401 for information from lookup table 601 included thereonin a manner similar to that described above with lookup table 602. Thus,for instance, power limit controller 404 may, in certain embodiments,query chip 401 for its lowest power limit value that enables it toprovide at least X clock frequency. That is, information from lookuptable 601 may be accessed by power limit controller 404 in certainembodiments to enable power limit controller 404 to make intelligentdecisions regarding the proper power limit value to be dynamically setfor chip 401.

Turning now to FIG. 7, exemplary wave forms are shown that illustrateoperation of an embodiment in which the power limit of a chip isdynamically changed. More specifically, an exemplary wave form is shownfor voltage V₁ input to chip 401, clock CLK₁ generated by powermanagement logic 402 (e.g., oscillator 108 of FIGS. 1 and 2), the powerlimit set for chip 401, and instantaneous chip power consumption. Asshown, at time t₀, voltage V₁ is 5 V and the frequency of clock CLK₁ is100 MHz, which results in no more than the set power limit of 100 W ofexternal power being required to be distributed to chip 401.

As discussed above with FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the external powerdistributed to chip 401 remains relatively constant, while theinstantaneous chip power consumption may vary significantly over time.For instance, at time t₀, the chip power consumption is at its averagevalue. Some time later, between time t₀ and time t₁, the instantaneouschip power consumption goes above average (e.g., compute intensiveoperation may be performed by the core circuitry, thus causing theinstantaneous chip power consumption to increase above average). Whenthe chip power goes above average power, capacitor 201 (e.g., of FIG. 2)starts draining charge to supply the chip, in one embodiment. Thus, asthe example of FIG. 7 shows, voltage V₁, frequency of CLK₁, and theexternal power distributed to chip 401 remain relatively constant fromthe time that the chip power increases above average until time t₁(because capacitor 201 drains its charge to supply the chip theadditional needed power). Example techniques for measuring a chip'spower consumption, including instantaneous power consumption andsustained power consumption, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,489,834titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD UTILIZING ON-CHIP VOLTAGE MONITORING TO MANAGEPOWER CONSUMPTION,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

Over time, if the chip power consumption remains above average, thecharge will drain from capacitor 201 and voltage V₁ will droop,resulting in the chip power being reduced to the average value. Forexample, at time t₁, capacitor 201 is still supplying the necessarypower to enable voltage V₁ to remain at 5V. Further, the frequency ofclock CLK₁ output by power management logic 402 remains 100 MHz, withexternal power distributed to chip 401 remaining at 100 W. From time t₁to time t₂, voltage V₁ droops from 5V to 4V (e.g., as the charge isdrained from capacitor 201), and in response the frequency of clock CLK₁output by power management logic 402 gradually decreases from 100 MHz to50 MHz to maintain the external power distributed to chip 401substantially at the 100 W power limit. As further shown in the exampleof FIG. 7, the decrease in voltage V₁ and frequency of CLK₁ results in adecrease in the instantaneous chip power consumption (back to itsaverage). From time t₂ to time t₃ voltage V₁ remains at 4V, and inresponse the frequency of clock CLK₁ output by power management logic402 remains at 50 MHz, thereby maintaining the instantaneous chip powerconsumption of chip 401 substantially at its average, while the externalpower required by chip 401 remains at the 100 W power limit.

Some time after time t₂, the instantaneous power chip consumptiondecreases below its average (e.g., as the compute intensive operation iscompleted). Thus, in response, from time t₃ to time t₄, voltage V₁gradually increases from 4V back to 5V, and in response the frequency ofclock CLK₁ output by power management logic 402 gradually increases from50 MHz to 100 MHz. Accordingly, as the value of voltage V₁ increases,the frequency of clock CLK₁ output by power management logic 402increases, thereby allowing faster operation of the core circuitry 403of chip 401 without requiring an increase in external power distributedto chip 401.

At time t₅, power limit controller 404 dynamically changes the powerlimit of chip 401 from 100 W to 80 W. In response, from time t₅ to timet₆ the chip's power limit is reduced to the newly set limit of 80 W. Inresponse to notification from power limit controller 404 that its powerlimit is set to 80 W, power management logic 402 sends a control signalto power supply 102 to change the supply voltage (VDD) supplied to chip401. Power supplies, such as power supply 102, commonly have controlbits (e.g., 6 control bits) that may be used to specify the voltage theyare to supply. Power management logic 402 is preferably communicativelycoupled to power supply 102 such that it can input such control bits todynamically change the voltage supplied to chip 401 by power supply 102.Thus, upon receiving notification from power limit controller 404 thatthe chip's power limit is set to 80 W, power management logic 402 sendsincremental voltage reduction commands to power supply 102 until themeasured power consumed by chip 401 is determined to comply with the 80W limit. Accordingly, preferably a power measurement scheme isimplemented within power management logic 402 to determine when themeasured power consumed by chip 401 complies with the 80 W limit. Forinstance, a power measurement scheme such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 6,489,834 titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD UTILIZING ON-CHIP VOLTAGEMONITORING TO MANAGE POWER CONSUMPTION,” the disclosure of which hasbeen incorporated herein by reference. In the example of FIG. 7, thechip's supply voltage V₁ (or VDD) is reduced by power management logic402 from 5 V to 4.7 V.

Further, chip 401 accesses lookup table 601, which in this exampleprovides the mapped values shown in FIG. 5. Thus, because the powerlimit is reduced to 0.8 of its maximum power limit (i.e., 80/100), powermanagement logic 402 determines from lookup table 601 that the maximumclock frequency of CLK₁ is to be reduced to 0.9 of its maximum value(i.e., 0.9*100 MHz), as the power limit value 0.8 maps to frequencyvalue 0.9 in the example of FIG. 5. Accordingly, responsive to thereceived notification of the reduced power limit value at time t₅ powermanagement logic 402 determines that the new maximum frequency of clockCLK₁ is to be set to 90 MHz (i.e., 0.9*100 MHz). Thus, from time t₅ totime t₆ the frequency of clock CLK₁ is reduced from 100 MHz to 90 MHz.As described above, under the newly set supply voltage of 4.7 V,different chips of this design may provide different performance.However, using a mapping structure, such as table 601, certainembodiments of the present invention are capable of ensuring consistent,predictable performance across different chips of this design.

Accordingly, at time t₆ voltage V₁ is at 4.7 V and the frequency ofclock CLK₁ is at 90 MHz, which results in no more than the reduced powerlimit of 80 W of external power being required to be distributed to chip401. As further shown, the average power consumption for the chip dropsto a new average value, shown as AVERAGE₂.

In view of the above, embodiments of the present invention enable thepower limit of a chip to be dynamically varied (e.g., from 100 W to 80 Win the above example of FIG. 7). In one embodiment, the maximum clocksignal frequency is dynamically changed by power management logic 402(e.g., from 100 MHz to 90 MHz in the above example of FIG. 7) to enablethe chip's power consumption to comply with the dynamically set powerlimit. Several well-known techniques exist for synthesizing a desiredclock signal frequency, and any suitable technique may be used inembodiments of the present invention for dynamically changing the chip'sclock signal frequency in this manner for managing the chip's powerconsumption to comply with a dynamically set power limit.

In one embodiment, power management logic 402 comprises avoltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), as described above with FIGS. 1-2,for generating clock signal CLK₁ with which processing by the corecircuitry 403 of chip 401 is synchronous. When such a VCO is used forgenerating clock signal CLK₁, an example technique for synthesizing theclock signal's frequency is to artificially reduce the control voltagewith a resistive divider. If the normal control voltage is “VDD” (thesupply being delivered to the chip 401), a resistive divider inconjunction with an analog voltage multiplexor can be used toconditionally reduce that voltage by a fixed ratio. The result is thatthe frequency of CLK₁ is reduced by a predictable amount from what wouldresult from raw VDD. An example implementation using such a resistivedivider in conjunction with an analog voltage multiplexor (MUX) is shownin FIG. 8. Turning briefly to the example of FIG. 8, the exampleresistive divider 805 shown comprises 14 resistors in series, withresistors 14R, 13R, 12R, and 11R specifically shown. Varying voltagevalues are selectively coupled from points along resistive divider 805,and are provided as inputs to MUX 801. In this example, the inputs 802,803, and 804 to MUX 801 correspond to voltage values (1*VDD),(13/14*VDD), and (12/14*VDD), respectively. While only three inputs areshown in this example, it should be recognized that any number ofvoltage inputs may be supplied to MUX 801 in a similar manner inalternative implementations. The select signal input to MUX 801 selectswhich of the inputs 802, 803, and 804 MUX 801 is to output as thecontrol voltage, which is in turn supplied to VCO 108. Thus, dependingon the select signal, MUX 801 may output VDD (i.e., if input 802 isselected), (13/14*VDD) (i.e., if input 803 is selected), or (12/14*VDD)(i.e., if input 804 is selected) as the control voltage. The selectsignal input to MUX 801 may be determined based at least in part on amapping structure (e.g., mapping structure 601 and/or 602 describedabove). While FIG. 8 shows an example technique for dynamically varyingthe maximum clock signal of chip 401, it should be understood that anyother suitable technique for dynamically synthesizing such a maximumclock signal in accordance with embodiments of the present invention maybe utilized in alternative embodiments.

In view of the above, the supply voltage and/or maximum clock frequencymay be dynamically changed responsive to the chip's power limit valuebeing dynamically changed in order to manage the chip's powerconsumption to be maintained within the dynamically set power limit. Asdescribed above, a mapping structure (e.g., mapping structure 601 and/or602) may be used to determine the maximum clock frequency that is to beset for a given power limit value that is dynamically set for the chip.As described further below in conjunction with FIG. 7, in one embodimentpower management logic 402 not only dynamically changes the maximumclock frequency responsive to the chip's power limit being dynamicallychanged, but it also dynamically varies the clock signal (e.g., tovalues not exceeding the set maximum clock frequency) responsive changesin voltage being consumed by the chip in order to maintain the chip'sclock frequency at an optimum frequency during operation of the chip,without exceeding a dynamically set power limit of the chip.

Returning to FIG. 7, as discussed above with FIG. 3, in one embodiment,the external power distributed to chip 401 remains relatively constant,while the instantaneous chip power consumption may vary significantlyover time. For instance, at time t₆, the chip power consumption is atits AVERAGE₂ value. Some time later, between time t₆ and time t₇, theinstantaneous chip power consumption goes above AVERAGE₂ (e.g., computeintensive operation may be performed by the core circuitry, thus causingthe instantaneous chip power consumption to increase above average, to avalue shown as ABOVE AVERAGE₂). When the chip power goes above theAVERAGE₂ power, capacitor 201 (e.g., of FIG. 2) starts draining chargeto supply the chip, in one embodiment. Thus, as the example of FIG. 7shows, voltage V₁, frequency of CLK₁, and the external power distributedto chip 401 remain relatively constant from the time that the chip powerincreases above average until time t₇ (because capacitor 201 drains itscharge to supply the chip the additional needed power).

Over time, if the chip power consumption remains above AVERAGE₂, thecharge will drain from capacitor 201 and voltage V₁ will droop,resulting in the chip power being reduced to the AVERAGE₂ value. Forexample, at time t₇, capacitor 201 is still supplying the necessarypower to enable voltage V₁ to remain at 4.7 V. Further, the frequency ofclock CLK₁ output by power management logic 402 remains 90 MHz, withexternal power distributed to chip 401 remaining at 80 W. From time t₇to time t₈, voltage V₁ droops from 4.7 V to a value just below 4 V(e.g., as the charge is drained from capacitor 201), and in response thefrequency of clock CLK₁ output by power management logic 402 graduallydecreases from 90 MHz to a lower value (e.g., 40 MHz) to maintain theexternal power distributed to chip 401 substantially at the 80 W powerlimit. As further shown in the example of FIG. 7, the decrease involtage V₁ and frequency of CLK₁ results in a decrease in theinstantaneous chip power consumption (back to its AVERAGE₂). From timet₈ to time t₉ voltage V₁ remains at just below 4 V, and in response thefrequency of clock CLK₁ output by power management logic 402 remains atthe lowered frequency (e.g., 40 MHz), thereby maintaining theinstantaneous chip power consumption of chip 401 substantially at itsAVERAGE₂, while the external power required by chip 401 remains at the80 W power limit.

Some time after time t₈, the instantaneous power chip consumptiondecreases below its AVERAGE₂ (e.g., as the compute intensive operationis completed). Thus, in response, from time t₉ to time t₁₀, voltage V₁gradually increases back to 4.7 V, and in response the frequency ofclock CLK₁ output by power management logic 402 gradually increases backto 90 MHz. Accordingly, as the value of voltage V₁ increases, thefrequency of clock CLK₁ output by power management logic 402 increases,thereby allowing faster operation of the core circuitry 403 of chip 401without requiring an increase in external power distributed to chip 401.

As shown in the example of FIG. 7, an embodiment enables a chip's powerlimit to be dynamically set, and it provides the optimum performanceunder the dynamically set power limit. That is, it should be recognizedthat a chip's power limit may be dynamically set to a measured value andthe chip's power consumption is self-regulated in a manner that complieswith the set power limit value while providing optimum, predictableperformance under such set power limit value.

Turning now to FIG. 9, an example operational flow diagram forimplementing a chip having a dynamically variable power limit andoperation of such chip in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention is shown. In operational block 901, a plurality of chips of aparticular design are characterized to determine performance reductionpercentages for corresponding power reduction percentages.

In block 902, a lookup table (or other suitable mapping structure), suchas lookup table 601 of FIG. 6, is constructed for the chips that mapspower limit reduction values to corresponding maximum performance valuesthat can be achieved within a tolerance by all manufactured chips ofthis design, such as described above in conjunction with FIG. 5. Forinstance, the chips may be characterized to determine the maximum clockfrequency of each chip that enables the chip to maintain its powerconsumption at or below 80 W. The lowest clock frequency valuedetermined for the chips may then be established as a predictableperformance value that is achievable within an 80 W power limit for thechip set. Suppose, for example, that 100 of the chips are characterizedto determine their maximum clock frequencies while complying with the 80W power limit, and 90 MHz is determined as the maximum clock frequencyat 80 W for 20 of the chips, 88 MHz is determined as the maximum clockfrequency at 80 W for 20 of the chips, 87 MHz is determined as themaximum clock frequency at 80 W for 20 of the chips, 85 MHz isdetermined as the maximum clock frequency at 80 W for 20 of the chips,and 83 MHz is determined as the maximum clock frequency at 80 W for 20of the chips. In this example, 83 MHz may be established as apredictable performance value for chips of this type at an 80 W powerlimit. That is, because all of the chips are capable of complying withthe 80 W power limit when providing a maximum frequency of 83 MHz, the83 MHz value may be established as the maximum frequency available forthe chips at an 80 W power limit. Thus, the mapping structure 601 may beconstructed that maps 80 W power limit to 83 MHz, as the maximumfrequency predictably achievable (within a tolerance of, say, 5% orless), and the mapping structure 601 may further map various other powerlimit values to the corresponding predictable maximum frequency.

In operation of the chips, it is determined at operational block 903whether power limit controller 404 dynamically sets the chip's powerlimit to some value. That is, it is determined whether chip 401 receivesnotification from power limit controller 404 that its power limit valueis changed. If not, operation continues as normal for chip 401 and block903 continues to monitor whether notification of a power limit change isreceived from power limit controller 404. If power limit controller 404does change the power limit of chip 401, operation advances to block 904whereat the chip receives notification of its power limit setting frompower limit controller 404. Then, at block 905, chip 401 determineswhether the set power limit value is less than the maximum power limitvalue of chip 401. In an embodiment, power management logic 402determines whether the set power limit value is less than the chip'smaximum power limit. If it is determined that the set power limit is notless than the chip's maximum power limit, operation advances to block906 whereat chip management logic 402 sets the frequency of its clock tothe chip's maximum frequency. Then, operation returns to block 903 tomonitor whether power limit controller 404 changes the chip's powerlimit value.

If it is determined at block 905 that the set power limit is less thanthe chip's maximum power limit, operation advances to block 907. Inblock 907, power management logic 402 accesses the lookup table (e.g.,table 601) to determine the frequency reduction percentage for the setpower limit. Then, in operational block 908 power management logic 402reduces the maximum frequency of chip 401 by the determined frequencyreduction for the set power limit. For instance, in the example of FIG.7, power limit controller 404 reduces the power limit of chip 401 from100 W to 80 W at time t₅. Accordingly, such reduction of its power limitvalue is determined to be below the chip's maximum power limit value (of100 W) in operational block 905 and so operation advances to block 907.In operational block 907, power management logic 402 accesses lookuptable 601 to determine the frequency reduction percentage for the setpower limit. More specifically, the corresponding frequency reductionpercentage (0.9 in the example of FIG. 5) is determined for the setpower reduction (0.8 of the maximum power limit in this example). Then,in operational block 908, power management logic 402 reduces the maximumfrequency of chip 401 by the determined frequency reduction, e.g.,computes 0.9*100 MHz to set the chip's frequency to 90 MHz in thisexample. Then, operation returns to block 903 to monitor whether powerlimit controller 404 changes the chip's power limit value.

In view of the above, it should be recognized that embodiments of thepresent invention advantageously provide an integrated circuit that hasa dynamically variable power limit. More specifically, in certainembodiments of the present invention, a measured power limit value maybe dynamically specified for a chip, and responsive thereto, the chipdynamically self-regulates its power consumption so as not to exceed thedynamically set power limit value. Further still, certain embodiments ofthe present invention provide an integrated circuit that is operable toself-regulate its power consumption so as to provide optimum clocksignal frequency while maintaining its power consumption within adynamically set power limit value. For instance, in certain embodiments,an integrated circuit comprises power management logic for dynamicallyvarying a clock signal with which processing by the core circuitry issynchronous. The power management logic dynamically varies the clocksignal responsive to voltage being consumed by the chip. Further still,one embodiment of the present invention provides an integrated circuithaving a predictable performance for a plurality of different powerlimit values that may be dynamically set for the integrated circuit.

What is claimed is:
 1. An integrated circuit comprising: core circuitryto perform processing synchronously with a clock signal; a mappingstructure that maps different power limit values to correspondingfrequency values of the clock signal; and power management logic to:receive notification of a dynamically set power limit value for theintegrated circuit; access the mapping structure using the dynamicallyset power limit value; determine, based on accessing the mappingstructure, a frequency value of the clock signal for complying with thedynamically set power limit value, and dynamically set the clock signalto the determined frequency value for managing power consumption of theintegrated circuit to comply with the dynamically set power limit value.2. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the mapping structureincludes a lookup table having entries mapping corresponding ones of thedifferent power limit values to corresponding frequency values.
 3. Theintegrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the mapping structure includes amatrix that maps corresponding ones of the different power limit valuesto corresponding frequency values.
 4. The integrated circuit of claim 1,wherein the power management logic is to dynamically set the clocksignal to the determined frequency value based at least in part onadjusting a voltage supplied to the core circuitry.
 5. The integratedcircuit of claim 4, wherein the power management logic comprises avoltage controlled oscillator for generating the clock signal.
 6. Theintegrated circuit of claim 5, wherein a common voltage is supplied tothe voltage controlled oscillator and the core circuitry.
 7. Theintegrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the mapping structure comprisesthe clock signal frequency values that are each a maximum frequencyvalue that is consistently achievable by the integrated circuit withoutexceeding a corresponding power limit value.
 8. The integrated circuitof claim 1, wherein the determined frequency value is a maximumfrequency of the clock signal that is predictably achievable by theintegrated circuit without exceeding the dynamically set power limitvalue.
 9. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the powermanagement logic is to be communicatively coupled to a power supply thatprovides a supply voltage to the integrated circuit, and wherein thepower management logic is to cause dynamic varying of the supply voltagesupplied by the power supply to the integrated circuit to dynamicallyregulate the integrated circuit's power consumption.
 10. The integratedcircuit of claim 1, further comprising: a power limit controller toprovide the notification of the dynamically set power limit value, wherethe dynamically set power limit value is selectable by the power limitcontroller from a plurality of specific power limit values.
 11. Theintegrated circuit of claim 10, wherein the power limit controller is toaccess the mapping structure to select the dynamically set power limitvalue from the plurality of specific power limit values that arecontained in the mapping structure, where the power limit controller isto select the dynamically set power limit value based on a targetfrequency of the clock signal to be achieved.
 12. A system comprising: apower supply; and an integrated circuit coupled to the power supply andcomprising: core circuitry to perform processing synchronously with aclock signal; a mapping structure that maps different power limit valuesto corresponding frequency values of the clock signal; and powermanagement logic to: receive notification of a dynamically set powerlimit value for the integrated circuit; access the mapping structureusing the dynamically set power limit value; determine, based onaccessing the mapping structure, a frequency value of the clock signalfor complying with the dynamically set power limit value, anddynamically set the clock signal to the determined frequency value formanaging power consumption of the integrated circuit to comply with thedynamically set power limit value.
 13. The system of claim 12, furthercomprising a power limit controller to provide the notification of thedynamically set power limit value.
 14. The system of claim 13, whereinthe power limit controller is to select the dynamically set power limitvalue from a plurality of specific power limit values.
 15. The system ofclaim 14, further comprising a second mapping structure to map powerlimit values to corresponding frequency values of the clock signal,wherein the power limit controller is to select the dynamically setpower limit value based on accessing the second mapping structure forachieving a target frequency value of the clock signal.
 16. The systemof claim 12, wherein the mapping structure includes a lookup tablehaving entries mapping corresponding ones of the different power limitvalues to corresponding frequency values.
 17. The system of claim 12,wherein the mapping structure includes a matrix that maps correspondingones of the different power limit values to corresponding frequencyvalues.
 18. The system of claim 12, wherein the mapping structurecontains content based on characterization of multiple integratedcircuits of a particular design, the characterization determining, foreach of the different power limit values of the multiple integratedcircuits, a predictable clock signal frequency that is achievable withina tolerance by all of the multiple integrated circuits without powerconsumption of the multiple integrated circuits exceeding thecorresponding power limit value.
 19. A method for dynamically varying anintegrated circuit's power limit, comprising: receiving, at anintegrated circuit, notification that the integrated circuit's powerlimit setting is changed to a particular power limit value; in responseto the notification, accessing a mapping structure that maps differentpower limit values to corresponding frequency values of a clock signalin the integrated circuit; determining, based on accessing the mappingstructure, a frequency value of the clock signal; and dynamicallysetting the clock signal to the determined frequency value for managingpower consumption of the integrated circuit to comply with thedynamically set power limit value.
 20. The method of claim 19, whereinaccessing the mapping structure comprises accessing a lookup tablehaving entries mapping corresponding ones of the different power limitvalues to corresponding frequency values.